Park Overview

Overlooking the New River, Shot Tower was built more than 150 years ago to make
ammunition for the firearms of the early settlers. Lead from the nearby Austinville
Mines was melted in a kettle atop the 75-foot tower and poured through a sieve,
falling through the tower and an additional 75-foot shaft beneath the tower into a
kettle of water. For a small fee, guests may ascend the tower which is on the
National Register of Historic Places.

Park size: 254 acres.

Trails

Hiking.

Location

From I-77, take exit 24 and go north on Route 52 for two miles.

Drive Time: Northern Virginia, six and a half hours; Richmond, five hours;
Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach: seven and a half hours; Roanoke, one and a half
hours